Foreign Minister Winston Peters will be in Indonesia this week, asking what New Zealand can do to help the tsunami-hit state.
The death toll on the island of Sulawesi stands at 384 following the magnitude 7.5 earthquake and resulting tsunami.
Aulia Ariani from the Red Cross in Indonesia told Newshub many dead bodies can be seen on the roadside.
"Some of the community is now living in open areas - they are still afraid to go back to their houses. Their houses are broken and collapsed."
Mr Peters departs on Monday for a scheduled visit to Thailand and Indonesia, where he'll be on October 4 and 5.
"The Sulawesi earthquake and tsunami will obviously be a current concern for the Indonesian government. My visit will be an opportunity to personally express the condolences of New Zealand for the loss of life, and to discuss any potential assistance," said Mr Peters.
The NZ First leader, fresh off hosting his own party's 25th birthday celebrations, will co-chair the New Zealand-Indonesia Joint Ministerial Consultations while in Jakarta.
Indonesian Association of New Zealand president Bill Russell says locals aren't well prepared for disasters.
"The building code over there, well I don't think there is one. When you see the houses getting demolished and you see the structure of the houses, that tells you quite a bit."
Mr Russel says the country needs more than just aid money.
"Every little bit helps, but what we can give them is just a drop in the bucket. There are a number of organisations within New Zealand raising money now to send over to Indonesia," he said.
GNS has recently teamed up with an Indonesian university to help with earthquake prevention
"Our strongest support would be in prevention," said Mr Russell. "You can't prevent tsunamis, but what you can do is prevent the significant damage these villages experience."
Before Indonesia, Mr Peters will be spending some time in Thailand, meeting with Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai, Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha, and Thai political party representatives.
Newshub.
